The best things in life may be free, but lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos has all the answers for the things that aren't—shopping, restaurants, days out, and yes, coffee. Each year, Muddy Stilettos holds its annual awards ceremony paying homage to the indie businesses that go above and beyond to elevate our high streets, while giving the rest of us a clue about the best new venues to check out.
This year's London shortlist has already been announced, and among the categories, 'Best Cafe' sees ten Big Smoke coffeehouses named best in show. Here, we profile each of these ten special cafes.
&Feast (Barnes)
Possibly one of the coolest cafes in London, &Feast stands out with its industrial shop front on Church Road, Barnes, while its delicious home-baked pastries, buns, and croissants have made it a popular go-to for catering events in South West London. Established in 2023, the business has a rating of 4.1 on Google. One reviewer posted: "Rain or shine, &Feast in Barnes is worth a visit—whether you're popping in for a takeaway, grabbing a seat indoors or out, or just ordering at the window."
Bar Italia (Soho)
A Soho den beloved by visitors to London, Bar Italia on Frith Street is a quaint, traditional café with a classic glass counter displaying the best of baked goods, ice cream, tiramisu, and other treats. The café has a rating of 4.2 on Google. One user said: "In my opinion, this is the best place to go for coffee in London. Rightly so, as coffee is delicious. The atmosphere is always welcoming and friendly, and nothing is too much trouble. Complimentary iced water with fresh lemon is offered without asking. The interior décor is amazing, and looks to be from the 1960s. It's always busy, but we find we can usually get a seat."
Beam Cafe (Muswell Hill)
A Mughal-inspired café in North London, Beam on Muswell Hill Broadway has hidden depths with its fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine and traditional British fare, serving a variety of comfort dishes with a twist from breakfast up to late lunch. The business has a whopping rating of 4.8 on Google. One reviewer said: "It is such a divine, superior café. Without being pretentious or uptight. Everything is so cosy. The service is fantastic while staying chilled. The food and coffee perfect. So stylish."
Café François (Borough)
Borough Market is currently rated the UK's best shopping spot on TripAdvisor, and for anyone pausing for a bite, Café François is a well-loved institution serving "vibrant all-day French brasserie." The business has a Google rating of 4.2. One reviewer said: "This was the best meal I’ve had in London. I’m currently on Ozempic and it is supposed to make you feel like not eating, BUT the flavours of the chicken kept making me eat and wanting more! Either I’m just a glutton or the Ozempic isn’t working or the food is just THAT GOOD!!!"
Drunch (Regents Park)
Bright, breezy, and bohemian, Drunch in St John's Wood Terrace is an irresistible draw for the North London arty crowd, serving classic brunch dishes, freshly squeezed juices, and artisan coffee, all in an exquisite blood orange dining room. On Google, it has a rating of 4.3. One reviewer wrote: "The perfect brunch spot. The restaurant was gorgeous—I loved all of the greenery, it made it feel very homey and the restaurant itself wasn’t too overcrowded with seating, so it was easy to have a conversation."
Farm Girl (Notting Hill)
Australian-owned Farm Girl brings a bit of desert sunshine to leafy Notting Hill, tucked away behind the idyllic St Peters Church on busy Portobello Road, serving health-conscious brunches, smoothies, and sandwiches. It has a rating of 4.3 on Google. One visitor wrote enthusiastically: "We found this place online after seeing so many people rave about it and I can absolutely see why. There was quite a wait, but it was well worth it... The menu was fab with loads to choose from, and the food was spectacular, so tasty and full of flavour. The place itself was lovely with a great vibe, plus a really nice outdoor area."
Old Bank Coffee House (Barnet)
This cosy, old-school Old Bank Coffee House in Barnet is known for its speciality coffees, matcha tea, Portuguese tarts, and croissant sandwiches. A former Barclays bank, it's now a café that serves as a haven for working mums with a fully-equipped play zone for small children. It boasts an impressive 4.7 rating on Google. One reviewer said: "This is my favourite coffee shop next to my house! The girls that work here are lovely, I love the vibe and also the play area at the back for my baby. Coffee, matcha, and hot chocolate are all amazing! I have tried them all."
Potter & Reid (Spitalfields)
Potter & Reid is a coffeehouse with a chic, minimal appearance that sets it apart from old-world Spitalfields, serving classic breakfasts and premium quality coffee. It's also a trendy spot for wines in the afternoon, without a whiff of pretence. The business has a high rating of 4.7 on Google. One person wrote online: "We love coming to Potter & Reid when in London. The cheese toastie is great but the banana bread and chai latte are my favorite. I love the atmosphere, the staff are always very friendly and there’s always something new on the menu."
Swiss Bread Bakery (Richmond)
Swiss Bread Bakery in Ashburnham Road, Richmond, has become a darling of foodie journalists and has twice been named by Muddy Stilettos as London's best cafe, in both 2024 and 2025. The venue was set up by Swiss couple Andre and Tanja and serves all things Swiss—be it Swiss cheese fondue, quiches, Swiss toasties, and homemade soup. It has a rating of 4.8 on Google. One person wrote: "An absolute gem in a quiet spot in Ham, SW London. The food and coffee and desserts are outstanding! But what makes this place stand out is the attention to detail and uncompromising high standards—everything is cooked just so and the service and crockery and experience is high class!"
The Beehive (Bethnal Green)
The Beehive cafe in Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, has a no-frills look with plain metal chairs and rustic wood tables, underlining its sumptuous food and drink offering of artisan coffee, homemade cakes, and light lunches. It has a score of 4.7 on Google. One reviewer wrote: "This is the best Americano I’ve ever had! The coffee was perfectly smooth, without any unpleasant burnt taste, making me rediscover how delightful an Americano can actually be. The environment here is equally wonderful—enjoying the sunshine."
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